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Nordic Ware

Nordic Ware Naturals Loaf Pan, 1.5 Pound

Is the Nordic Ware Naturals loaf pan the right bread pan for evenly baked loaves without a nonstick coating?

For weekend banana bread, pound cake and homemade sandwich loaves, I’d choose this Nordic Ware if even baking and long-term durability matter more to you than nonstick convenience. Its pure aluminum heats efficiently, and the reinforced steel rim helps resist warping. It has a 1.5-pound capacity, so recipe fit is worth checking before you bake. You’ll need to grease it or use parchment, and hand-wash it.

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From the Amazon listing

Will it bake more evenly than a dark nonstick pan?

That’s the main reason I’d pick this pan. Aluminum conducts heat well, while dark pans tend to brown the outside of baked goods more aggressively; switching from a dark pan can help avoid overdone edges before the center is ready. The reinforced rim is there to help the pan resist warping. For the most even result, bake on the oven’s middle rack and follow the recipe’s doneness cues rather than relying only on the timer.

Will its 1.5-pound capacity suit your loaf recipe?

Capacity and pan dimensions aren’t interchangeable, and recipes vary in how much batter or dough they make. Check the pan size called for in your recipe, and don’t assume a recipe written for a named 8.5-by-4.5-inch or 9-by-5-inch pan will fit just because this one is called 1.5-pound. For yeast bread, use the recipe’s rise and fill guidance; for quick breads, leave room for the loaf to rise without spilling.

Will bread stick without a nonstick coating?

It can, especially with sugary quick breads or a loaf left to cool in the pan. Grease the base and sides well, or line the long sides and bottom with parchment, leaving a little overhang to lift the loaf out. Let the loaf settle briefly after baking, then loosen the ends before turning it out; don’t wait until it is completely cold in the pan.

How much care are you willing to give it?

This pan is hand-wash only, so it suits someone happy to wash bakeware at the sink. Use warm water, a soft sponge and ordinary dish soap; skip abrasive pads that can scratch the surface. Aluminum can darken or develop marks with use, which is cosmetic rather than a reason to throw the pan away.

Video review

Nordic Ware Naturals Loaf Pan – The Best Tall Loaf Pan for Easy Baking and Transport

Video by USP REVIEW · 1.9K subscribers · 2:18 long · 84 views · published May 2025

How they compare

Nordic Ware Naturals Loaf Pan, 1.5 Pound
Nordic Ware Naturals Loaf Pan, 1.5 Pound

A sturdy, pure-aluminum loaf pan for even baking, with a reinforced rim and no coating to peel.

Set1.5 Pound Loaf Pan
Weight0.7 lb
Dimensions (as listed)9.8 × 6 × 2.8 in
WarrantyLifetime
ColorNatural
Wilton Platinum Non-Stick 9 x 5 in Loaf Pan, Stainless Steel Bakeware, Made without PFAS, Packaging May Vary
Wilton Platinum Non-Stick 9 x 5 in Loaf Pan, Stainless Steel Bakeware, Made without PFAS, Packaging May Vary

The convenient pick for easy release, dishwasher-safe cleanup and extended handles.

Set9 x 5 Loaf Pan
Weight1 lb
Dimensions (as listed)2.9 × 6.3 × 11.8 in
Warranty—
ColorGray
Set9.5 x 5 inches
Weight1.1 lb
Dimensions (as listed)10.6 × 6 × 2.8 in
Warranty—
ColorGray

Who it suits

This pan is for the home baker replacing a dark, peeling pan who wants a sturdy aluminum bread pan for banana bread, pound cake or homemade yeast loaves, and doesn’t mind greasing, using parchment and washing by hand.

What you give up

  • There’s no nonstick coating, so careful greasing and release matter more than they do with a coated pan.
  • It’s a single pan with a 1.5-pound capacity, not a two-pan set; check your recipe’s pan size before committing to a batch.
  • Hand-washing is part of owning it, so it’s less convenient than a dishwasher-safe option.

When another one is the better buy

You will also want

A couple of practical tools make baking and unmolding easier: something secure for handling the hot pan, and a rack that lets the loaf cool without trapping steam underneath.

KITCHENAID Ribbed Soft Silicone Oven Mitt 2-Pack Set, Matte Black, 7.5"x13"

KITCHENAID Ribbed Soft Silicone Oven Mitt 2-Pack Set, Matte Black, 7.5"x13"

These long silicone mitts give you a steady grip when lifting the hot pan from the oven; matte black is a practical, low-fuss color for a busy kitchen.

Spring Chef 10" x 15" Stainless Steel Cooling Rack for Cooking & Baking | Heavy Duty Cookie Cooling Rack for Kitchen, Oven Safe Wire Rack for Baking, Fits Jelly Roll Pan, Dishwasher Safe

Spring Chef 10" x 15" Stainless Steel Cooling Rack for Cooking & Baking | Heavy Duty Cookie Cooling Rack for Kitchen, Oven Safe Wire Rack for Baking, Fits Jelly Roll Pan, Dishwasher Safe

A cooling rack gives the loaf airflow underneath as it cools, helping prevent a damp bottom crust.

Questions buyers ask

Does bread stick to an aluminum loaf pan?

It can, since this pan does not have a nonstick coating. Grease it thoroughly or use a parchment sling, especially for sticky banana bread and sweet loaves.

Is a 1.5-pound loaf pan the same size as a 9-by-5-inch pan?

No: a capacity label doesn’t tell you the pan’s exact internal dimensions. Match the pan size named in your recipe, and don’t rely on the 1.5-pound label alone to confirm a fit.

Can I put the Nordic Ware loaf pan in the dishwasher?

Hand-wash it. Warm soapy water and a soft sponge are the sensible routine for aluminum bakeware, and they help keep cleanup from becoming a chore.

Will aluminum discolor, and does that ruin the pan?

Aluminum can darken or mark with use. That change is cosmetic; it doesn’t mean the pan has stopped working.

How can I keep the corners of banana bread from getting too dark?

A light-colored aluminum pan is a good choice when your old dark pan browned the edges too fast. Bake in the middle of the oven and check the center for doneness, since ovens and recipes vary.

Buying guides with this product

More in Cake Pans

If you’re still weighing coated convenience against uncoated aluminum, or need a different size or set, browse the other loaf pans in this category and match the choice to your recipes and cleanup habits.

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